News

East Tennessee Sports Car Club Solo Autocross

Friday, April 20, 2012

Foot

For most competitors at Bristol Motor Speedway, a road racing background is not necessary to help them make their mark at the World’s Fastest Half-Mile. Legal Aid of East Tennessee and the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities are going to change things up on Sunday, May 6 with an event designed to keep drivers turning left and right, while benefitting both charities at the same time.

The East Tennessee Sports Car Club of America will host a Solo autocross event on a challenging course in the parking lots of BMS. Solo events test the skill of each participant by emphasizing the driver’s ability and the car’s handling characteristics.

While top speeds generally are no greater than those encountered on the highway, the autocross track will have more than 30 expertly-designed corners to push drivers and their cars to the limit.

Cars will need to go through tech inspection prior to taking part in the autocross runs. Participants need a valid driver’s license and a helmet to compete. Loaner helmets will be available for those who do not have their own.

Ride-a-longs also will be available for those who want to feel the exhilaration of a run with one of the more experienced drivers. Anyone can participate with a $10 donation per run.

After testing the handling capabilities of their machines, drivers also can make a pass down Bristol Dragway’s legendary track for an additional donation.

The competitor entry fee is $35, while spectators will be admitted for just $5 per family. Competitor registration, tech inspection and course walk through begin at 8:30 a.m. on May 6. A drivers’ meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m., with the first run slated for 11 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. SCC is a non-profit organization which raises funds for children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Legal Aid of East Tennessee also will receive assistance from the event. LAET provides civil legal assistance, primarily in the areas of domestic violence, homelessness prevention and consumer protection, to families whose gross household income is below federal poverty guidelines.

Vendor opportunities are available for a donation of $100 per space and sponsorship options also still are available.

For more information about vendor spaces and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Betsy Holleman with Speedway Children’s Charities at betsy@bristolmotorspeeway.com or (423) 989-6975 or Dave Yoder with Legal Aid of East Tennessee at dyoder@laet.org or (865) 405-6645.